Summary
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
This episode explores the decades-long unlikely friendship between DZ Ironwing, a traditional Sioux singer from South Dakota, and Ann Rockefeller, an heiress and philanthropist. After meeting briefly when DZ performed at a New York cathedral, the two began a regular phone correspondence that lasted for over thirty years. They discussed life on the reservation, the historical trauma of Native American boarding schools, and their shared commitment to culture, eventually adopting each other as brother and sister over the phone.
The hosts and guest discuss the profound connection between two individuals from completely different worlds and reflect on the themes of empathy, human connection, and the effort required to maintain meaningful relationships. The episode also highlights Ann's philanthropic work supporting Native languages and her role in helping DZ secure a new home later in life, culminating in DZ singing at her memorial service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in December 2024.
- DZ Ironwing and Ann Rockefeller maintained a phone friendship that lasted for more than 30 years, speaking several times a week. 25:28
- Ann Rockefeller founded a nonprofit aimed at reviving Native American languages, ceremonies, and culture. 19:57
- DZ and Ann formalized their bond by adopting each other as brother and sister over a phone call. 27:16
- DZ Ironwing sang three times at Ann Rockefeller memorial service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. 30:57
Highlights
- 0:54
A Life Across Worldsstory
DZ Ironwing grew up on a small Indian reservation in South Dakota, where his ancestors fought at Little Bighorn and survived Wounded Knee. Despite the distance from his roots, he maintained his traditions by participating in powwows, sweat lodges, and traditional singing.
- 2:01
DZ performed traditional Sioux songs at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine during a Thanksgiving weekend event. After the service, a woman named Ann approached him to praise his voice, marking their first encounter.
- 9:30
The Legacy of Boarding Schoolsinsight
As a young child, DZ was sent to an Indian boarding school in Marty, South Dakota. These institutions were established under the Civilization Fund Act to enforce forced assimilation by stripping children of their native names, languages, and cultural practices.
- 18:16
Systemic Injustices and Rightsdata
Native Americans were not granted blanket U.S. citizenship until 1924, and many were still fighting for voting rights when DZ was young. Additionally, the Indian Health Service faced investigations for the unauthorized sterilization of Native women in the 1970s.
- 26:29
In Sioux tradition, adoption creates a true sibling bond of responsibility and kinship. When Ann asked to be adopted, they bypassed the traditional hunka ceremony and completed the adoption entirely over the phone.
- 29:16
When DZ's trailer home on the reservation fell into disrepair with broken windows and leaking roofs, Ann insisted he find a better place to live. She helped pay the rent for a home in Sioux Falls where he lived for five years.
About this episode
Wherever Sioux singer D. Z. Ironwing performed in New York, the same woman was waiting afterward to say she loved his voice. Seven years later, his phone rang in a freezing South Dakota trailer. It was her — the first of countless calls that began an unlikely bond with one of America’s richest families. Listen to Dana on Very Special Episodes https://link.podtrac.com/dz7185v4 on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcript
5,319 words · 8 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
Topics
- Native American History
- Unlikely Friendships
- Oral History
- Philanthropy
- Cultural Preservation
- Biographical Stories
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